N.J. telemarketers to pay $18.8M fine for charity scheme

WASHINGTON — The Federal Trade Commission said the owners of a telemarketing scheme in New Jersey will have to pay a $18.8 million fine for duping consumers about their donations to police and firefighters.

The complaint named Civic Development Group, LLC; CDG Management LLC; and owners Scott Pasch and David Keezer.

The defendants allegedly misled consumers by telling them "100 percent" of donations would go to the charity.

The FTC said Pasch will turn over a $2 million home; paintings by Picasso and Van Gogh valued at $1.4 million and proceeds from a recently sold wine collection. And Keezer will turn over a $2 million home, a Range Rover and a Bentley.